Armed forces minister James Heappey has become the latest Tory MP to say they will stand down at the next election.
The Times reported that the former soldier, who has argued for more defence spending, is expected to step down from his ministerial post at the end of this month.
He was said to have written to his local Tory association in Wells, Somerset, that it was “time to step away from politics, prioritise my family, and pursue a different career”.
Around 60 Tory MPs have already said they will stand down at the next election, with Rishi Sunak on Thursday ruling out it happening on May 2.
Former Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said on Thursday that he would not seek re-election in his Great Yarmouth seat at the election.
Mr Heappey said he had taken the "painful decision" not to fight his seat at the next election because "now is the time" to prioritise family and pursue a different career.
In a letter to the chairman of the Wells and Mendip Hills Conservative Association, John Osman, he said "a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years".
Mr Heappey said: "After much reflection, I am afraid I have taken the painful decision not to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming general election.
"I am enormously grateful to the new Wells & Mendip Hills Conservative Association for having selected me as their candidate at the special general meeting last year but, as you know, a great deal has changed in my life over the last few years and I have concluded that now is the time to step away from politics, prioritise my family and pursue a different career."
